The picture on the left is of me and some fellow reprobates who ran the New York Marathon last year on our way to raising collectively over £10,000 for 21^st century kids. This year mainly because I am getting old I'm just doing a half marathon – ‘The Great North Run’ hoping to raise a tidy some for St Johns Ambulance.

I think, everyone should do something for charity at least once a year, for my part I will run 13 miles, all I am asking you to do is put in my sponsorship pot an amount that most of you spend on a good night out. I realise a good night out for some of you is a bag of chips and a can of Pepsi in a bus shelter or even a can of special brew whilst roaming the streets shouting 'the end of the world is nigh’.

However, I also know that some of you are partial to a three-course meal and a bottle of fine wine. The point is - give what you can afford and not a penny less, it will make me happy and you'll feel better about yourself, even if it’s on a subconscious level. Failure to do this will result in me ringing you twice a day for the rest of your life singing that well known country song ‘You aint got no heart you got a lump of rock'

Last year I had the added motivation of turning my body from something ‘only a wife could love’ to something resembling a picture of health and toned to boot. Unfortunately, the reality is that I’m stuck with my body shape ‘why have a six pack when a one pack will do’ and my added motivation this year is just to be able to walk the day after without looking like an extra from ‘Shaun of the dead’

Last year my Mum and Dad donated and added ‘that it was people like me who make the world go round’ – who am I to disagree – so donate and share in the collective glory that it’s people like us who make the world go round.

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: St John Ambulance will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.